Sinn Féin TD Mr Aengus O Snodaigh has criticised as unsafe the
conviction of a political associate who was jailed for “spying”
on senior politicians in the 26 Counties.

Niall Binead was one of two men jailed for membership of the
Provisional IRA at the non-jury Special Criminal Court last
Friday. He has previously worked as a Sinn Féin election worker
in the Dublin South Central constituency.

Garda police said they had found in a small briefcase in Mr
Binead’s house a list written on cigarette paper which was
headed “Politicians”, detailing sightings of prominent
politicians. It was described as “an IRA document”.

Unionists this week claimed an “IRA spy ring” is operating in
Dublin.

Deputy O Snodaigh said the conviction “mirrored the worst
excesses of the Diplock Court system in the Six Counties”.

Deputy O Snodaigh said there was “huge outrage and anger” that
once again “we have seen people convicted of IRA membership, not
on any evidence, but on the word of a Garda Superintendent.

“This case should never have gone before the Special Criminal
Court in the first place and it is incredible that during the
case secret evidence was given to the Judge, which was not
disclosed to the defence.”

Mr O Snodaigh said his party had consistently raised the issue
of emergency powers “and indeed the abuse of emergency powers.
It is worth noting that ten years into the peace process, we
have seen at least some progress in the north on the issue of
criminal justice but we have seen no progress in the south.

“The Special Criminal Court is entirely unacceptable and should
be closed down.”